Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Tales of the Traveling Tote #25

Rabbit, Rabbit ~ December 1, 2020
Welcome to Tales of the non Traveling Tote!
As like many, we are staying home,
so absolutely no travel to share!
Instead, a few random things each month.

The first Sunday in September found 
us enjoying one of our favorite traditions.
Shakes, Burgers, and Bubbles
at The Peached Tortilla
to celebrate our 45th Wedding Anniversary.

It was the first offering since the lockdown,
and our first time to venture into a restaurant.

Temperature checks at the door, only a few tables 
available inside, and excellent safety protocal.

The Chef took the donut home for a late night snack, and we shared the shake, a delicious caramel milkshake, rimmed in chocolate and pecans, and topped with a traditional yeast donut. 

Thank you, Peached Tortilla, 
you never disappoint!

September also brought my sister back up to see her daughters,
so we had a little sister time with lunch at Sweet Lemon.
Since COVID, they only offer outdoor dining 
~ picnic tables under the huge oaks.

October arrived and with it 
some beautiful autumn weather!
A favorite activity is to venture over 
to a neighborhood bakery.

Miss Merri Mac and the bears came along and were very
popular with a little girl and her baby brother munching on their
bakery treats.  Mack and Kenzie go together like milk and cookies.

Grocery shopping at least offers a reason to leave the house.
A weekly early morning trip to Trader Joe's 
for flowers and a few fall favorites has become a habit.
Thank you, Trader Joe's for senior hour shopping!

COVID has changed much of our normal routine, and
voting was no exception.  We received our ballots, completed them
and drove over to the County Offices to vote absentee.

The process couldn't have been easier or more efficient.
Thank you Travis County for offering a safe way
to cast our votes in the 2020 election.

Sadie Mercedes made her voice heard as well.
Miss Arden Elizabeth of the Treat Party.

October in Texas traditionally brings large crowds 
from across the country to shop the antique venues 
at Round Top and the surrounding small communities.

I rarely miss an opportunity, and since the shows were completely canceled last spring, I seriously considered attending
when things opened back up for shopping this fall.

When the week arrived, I decided it was too risky
and Miss Merri Mac and I opted to forgo 
shopping among large crowds.

Staying home has me in the 
kitchen baking more these days.

We can't consume all the goodies,
so Miss Merri Mac and I deliver baked goods
to friends around the neighborhood.

Table for two for Thanksgiving 2020
With the arrival of November also came increased 
numbers of confirmed cases. COVID restrictions once
again tightened up and holiday plans took on a 
very different look from previous years.
Thanksgiving Turkey Talk post here.

Neighborhood walks are the extent of being out and about 
other than grocery shopping and doctor appointments.
Fortunately many of our neighbors like to add seasonal
touches to greet those out for a daily walk.

This charming door always has a pretty wreath 
embellished with black and white checked ribbon, 
a nod to the MacKenzie-Childs fan who lives within.  

One of my favorite doors I pass on my walk is a cheerful yellow
and home to a favorite, Mrs. Powers of MacKenzie-Childs fame.  
The swinging Mrs. Powers is a door knocker, 
and the wreath changes with the seasons.

And then there was this in a trash can 
the day after Thanksgiving.
I admit, I stopped to do a double take, 
thinking someone had thrown out 
MacKenzie-Childs pumpkins.
😂😂😂😂😂😂

Be sure to visit all the adventures below.
Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 
Emily with Miss Courtney ChildsThe French Hutch
Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron
Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda
 Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box
Rita with Miss Luna C Panoply 
Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul (You are here)
Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home
Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader

Just in time for the holidays!
Our Giveaway this edition is a trio of paper goods.
Leave a comment below on my blog for a chance to win.
You will need to leave your blog address or an email to be entered so we have a way to contact you.  Thank you!
Joining








Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

49 comments:

  1. Despite the pandemic, your post is so festive with all of the outdoor activities! Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Thank you for your kind comment. I will need your email or blog address to include you in the drawing please.

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  2. Sarah, I absolutely love how you've captured current events of the season in spite of no real travels! The first time back out in restaurants, the vote, early shopping, and even walks - things we've just taken for granted - are all elevated as venturing out status! Seriously, if I ever get back to Austin I must plan around the Peached Tortilla's schedule! Oh my, not only the shake, but that food photo! Certainly this anniversary was a memorable one (congrats on 45 years!). Lol, doing the double take on the trash.....that is definitely right up my alley, and Mr. P. just rolls his eyes and walks on like he doesn't know me. :)

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  3. What a nice flow of current events with Miss Merri Mac. I think it's time for me to pick out a journal for 2021, and hopefully it will be better than 2020's journal. I want an orange door Sarah! Just for the months of September and October. LOL I could not take my eyes off that trash can. Ha! I can picture your reaction as well. Glad you are keeping healthy. One of my job duties these days is to record Covid results for my region. I can't escape that word.

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    1. Thank you, Debbie. Your and Joe have definitely made the best of things.

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  4. You have certainly made the best of the Pandemic!! Your monthly milkshakes are really fabulous and I would love to try one - I actually had my 1st milkshake in years the other day- A Peppermint Milkshake that was delish, but not as pretty and frilly as yours! Looks like there are a lot of M-C fans in your neighborhood - that's fun! Hopefully we will have happy travels again soon!!

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    1. Thanks, Patti. I need to try the Peppermint Milkshake. Love peppermint ice-cream.

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  5. Lots of eye candy! I want to walk into that Trader Joes..Your rabbit is wonderful..
    Great neighbourhood Sarah..Take care..:)

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    1. Monique, I wish you could join me on my Trader Joe's trips. I think you would like the shopping!

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  6. hi Sarah, you always seem to make the most out of the situation, and although travels are restricted, you did manage to visit two of my favorite places, your oh so tempting Peach Tortilla and Trader Joe's! Your vignettes with the rabbit and teddy bears are so adorable, and walks in your neighborhood are certainly full of wonderful eye candy! Happy December, and I hope your days will be full of sugar plums and twinkling lights!
    Jenna

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    1. Jenna, I enjoyed your posts. Sorry about your flat tire!

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  7. I love th decor that you have with the pumpkins pictured for the Fall. How beautiful. I love pumpkins (they are aquite the delite to have in food items as well). The TREATS that you showed in the top photos got my mouth ohhhh so watering.
    I see in one of your pictures where you spoke of Trader Joe's you have a pic of the tea that I love --their fall Havest blend tea is so so good.
    Despite what is going on in the world you show that there is so much to live for and to enjoy.

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    1. Thank you! Yes, Trader Joe's special seasonal offerings are great. We like the gingerbread biscotti and the cranberry biscotti. They sell out quickly!
      Thank you! I will need your email or blog address to include you in the drawing please.

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  8. Whoever painted those pumpkins you saw in the trash did a good job. Enjoy your neighborhood walks as Christmas approaches.

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    1. Yes, talented hands painted the pumpkins. A shame to have to toss them. Thank you! Joy, I will need your email or blog address to include you in the drawing please.

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  9. Neighborhood walks are what it’s all about this year. I even spotted a couple walking their dog last night by flashlight. Thanks for the fun post and the festive giveaway.

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    1. Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. I will need your email or blog address to include you in the drawing please

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  10. Glad you are enjoying your treats and it's safe environments. A wonderful way to enjoy going out for treats and just going! Also, love seeing the seasonal wreaths and decorations on your walks. I love walking and it's a great way to stay connected. It's been a very non-traveling tote here as well, we are just making the best of it..........Stay well and stay safe Sarah. Happy December.

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    1. Emily, I really enjoyed all your garden excursions. I need to buy more plants.

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  11. Wow Sarah, such a fun post full of yummy food and drink. I want a Peached Tortilla here. Oh my! Trader Joe's has the very best and yours is no exception. Lots of wonderful houses to see while walking in your neighborhood. Love the painted door. The trask with the painted Mackenzie Child's is priceless. The bears and rabbit look so cute. happy holidays Sarah. We all hope for a bright new year without the dreaded covid.

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    1. Thank you, Linda! Yes, the trash really caught my attention! 😂😂😂

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  12. Leslie:
    Such pretty photos! Love that cake stand. I wish I made cakes pretty enough to be worthy of it.
    leslieannstevenson@yahoo.com

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  13. Sarah, you've done more fun things than I have! I would love to visit the Texas Hill Country...Roundtop is definitely on my bucket list. The milkshake was created by an evil genius, apparently. Goodness! I would love one of those! I love your cake plate. I wish I'd bought a few pieces in that collection, but I waited too late. I also loved the pretty doors. You did a nice job with your post. I enjoyed it!

    xo,
    Ricki Jill

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    1. RJ, I hope you get to visit someday. TX has some beautiful country to offer. I enjoyed your post too!

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  14. Beautiful, colorful post as always dear Sarah - I love all the MC touches. Bet your baked goods taste fabulous - they look so yummy.

    Surprised Round Top opened! Glad you decided against attending - no reason to risk becoming ill or worse just to go shopping!!!

    March 1 is a long time to, wait - hope you post before then! Meanwhile enjoy the holiday season - and you, M, and Miss Sadie stay well and be happy.
    Love Mary x

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    1. Thank you, sweet friend! Yes, I was also surprised about Round Top. Just didn't think it was wise! Stay well, Mary! Good luck!

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  15. You have the most wonderful places to eat! I always want to come along and have a hamburger and a shake! Wow.
    I wonder how crazy Round Top was! Probably good you didn't venture out. People don't seem to respect distances much when they are out and about.
    Looks and sounds like you live in a wonderful neighborhood with like-minded people. Love their ribbons and pumpkins!!!

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  16. You are so artistic with all your displays. On your walks you look for the best and have certainly found some great things to share. Thank you love seeing all your fun things.

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    1. Many thanks for the thoughtful comment, Chris. I will need your email or blog address to include you in the drawing please.

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  17. You have captured so many beautiful photos and memories despite this pandemic. I enjoyed looking through the different photos and reading about all of the things you have been doing. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Many thanks for the thougthful comment. I will need your email or blog address to include you in the drawing please.

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  18. You have the most adorable and unique additions to your blog photos! I love seeing the things you have collected over the years and the descriptions of where're they are found! Wonderful eye for decor - happy to have found you!

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    1. Thank you, Leslie. I'm a life long collector!
      I will need your email or blog address to include you in the drawing please.

      Delete
  19. I forgot you live down around Austin. I live up by Ft. Worth and come down to Austin a couple times a year. That Peach Tortilla restaurant looks wonderful to eat at. Congrats on 45 years.

    Annie

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    1. I highly recommend The Peach Tortilla! Hope you get to visit. Thank you for the comment. I will need your email or blog address to include you in the drawing please

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  20. Thank you Sarah for bringing such beauty and joy to me here in Maine. You certainly light up my in-box and I just about giggle with happiness when I see a post from you ! I am always inspired by your style and the happiness that all the vignettes hold. Sending love and joy right back to you, from me...Sara xo

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    1. Your kind words touch my heart. Thank you! I will need your email or blog address to include you in the drawing please.

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  21. Thank you for this lovely giveaway.
    MarilynDKC[at]aol[dot]com

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  22. You always fascinate me with your trips to the Peached Tortilla, Sarah! Happy 45 years of marriage to you and your dear Chef! Your outings around your neighborhood bring joy, also. Happy December! ❤️🎄❤️

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  23. I loved your post and admire your creativity of your non-traveling tote this time. Fun to read and I am glad you are being safe. Looking forward to when your tote and mine can venture out again.

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  24. This is such an entertaining post that made me smile throughout reading! You and that traveling tote sure do get around! I love that you are able to get out, restaurant dining is something I miss so much and I wish I had taken advantage of it during the summer.

    Happy 45th Anniversary! A match made in heaven! My husband and I will celebrate 35 years on the 15th. Cheers all around!🥂🥂🥂

    Jane

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  25. I loved this “non traveling tote” post! So many pretty photos! Glad you’re keeping well.

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  26. Hi Sarah, what a great post. I love all your images of a fun Fall even thru the pandemic. Congrats on your anniversary; you all celebrated in a perfect way! I wanted to share that great pic you included of the wall of pumpkins in the crates. so unique, I'm a sucker for pumpkins for sure, so I'll be featuring your post this evening at All About Home!

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  27. Oh my goodness, what a thoroughly enjoyable read and images! Happy 45th Anniversary! You have us by one year, my husband and I will be celebrating our 44th on December 27!

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  28. Oh Sarah, you have managed to have a fine good time during all this. Congratulations again on your anniversary and I'm so glad you got to see "the girls." I must tell you, I simply swooned at the Trade Joe photo! I miss them so. I did go once during this time during our one visit to the Toddlers. (We don't have one near.) I hadn't been to a store in ages and I'm always in trouble there on a good day! I spent $250 (but I still have much of what I bought, fortunately!) Love that spot. All the photos, lovely!

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  29. What a wonderful cozy catchup! Since covid all I see is Costco and safeway, ca just went to stay home order for 3 weeks, seeing your meal out and exciting new sights looks heavenly! I am new to Instagram, but have been thrilled to see so much beauty, thank heavens there is a color filled world out there that others are willing to share!

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Thank you to each of you who take the time to leave a comment. I read and appreciate each and every one and will respond to any questions. Your notes are the only way I know who has stopped in for a visit.